The Song of the Wrecka poem by Charles Dickens

THE SONG OF THE WRECKCharles Dickens

The wind blew high, the waters raved, A ship drove on the land, A hundred human creatures saved Kneel'd down upon the sand. Threescore were drown'd, threescore were thrown Upon the black rocks wild, And thus among them, left alone, They found one helpless child.

A seaman rough, to shipwreck bred, Stood out from all the rest, And gently laid the lonely head Upon his honest breast. And travelling o'er the desert wide It was a solemn joy, To see them, ever side by side, The sailor and the boy.

In famine, sickness, hunger, thirst, The two were still but one, Until the strong man droop'd the first And felt his labors done. Then to a trusty friend he spake, "Across the desert wide, Oh, take this poor boy for my sake!" And kiss'd the child and died.

Toiling along in weary plight Through heavy jungle, mire, These two came later every night To warm them at the fire. Until the captain said one day "O seaman, good and kind, To save thyself now come away, And leave the boy behind!"

The child was slumbering near the blaze: "O captain, let him rest Until it sinks, when God's own ways Shall teach us what is best!" They watch'd the whiten'd, ashy heap, They touch'd the child in vain; They did not leave him there asleep, He never woke again.

The Song of the Wrecka poem by Charles Dickens

A poem can paint a thousand images in your mind's eye. If you enjoyed this poem and appreciated the lyrics of The Song of the Wreck by Charles Dickens you will find even more poem lyrics by this famous author, together with their biography and picture, by simply clicking on the Poem Index link below !